Over the weekend, Governor Baker ordered all Massachusetts schools to close for 3 weeks to help stop the spread of the coronavirus. He also mandated that restaurants serve customers only via take-out or delivery, and that no one gather in groups of 25+. More shutdowns may follow, and the impacts are already being felt across the board by businesses of all sizes, including ours.

From a dry Christmas tree adorned with 20-year-old lights to a set of drapes dangling near a faulty heater, fire risks seem ubiquitous this time of year. With the holiday season around the corner, it’s the perfect time to address leading causes of house fires and how to prevent them. For the #1 most common source of house fires, look no further than the kitchen.

You’ve no doubt heard someone say “Sitting is the new smoking.” Numerous studies have shown the detriments of a sedentary lifestyle: increased risk for back problems, osteoporosis, obesity, heart disease, diabetes, and some types of cancer, even double of the risk of premature death. Though office work won’t be found on any top 10 lists of most dangerous jobs, the negative impacts of too much sitting are detrimental to both employees and employers—the cost of absenteeism and extra health care due to the workers’ sedentary-related health problems runs into the billions each year. But sitting too much isn’t the only cause of poor health in office workers.

The saying goes that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. And while a carefully crafted Cyber Liability policy can protect you from significant financial loss in the event of a cyber attack or data breach, it’s best to protect your company proactively through cyber security protocols. In fact, some insurance providers may insist that you have security measures in place before they will underwrite a policy for your business.

With over 100,000 registered commercial drone operators in the US, it’s not surprising that the use of drones has transformed many industries. Houses with aerial photographs sell 68% faster than ones without. Drone usage on construction sites has increased safety by 55%. Because drones can cover large areas quickly and provide access to locations otherwise not easily reached, they’re increasingly being deployed for tasks like agricultural inspections and search-and-rescue missions. Drones have impacted everything from humanitarian aid and weather forecasting to wedding videography and food delivery.

Frozen water pipes and the damage they cause are a reality for thousands of people each year. And unfortunately, a burst pipe can cause more than $5,000 in water damage, according to the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety. Luckily, there are steps you can take to prevent pipes from freezing.

Floodwaters are among the most damaging natural tragedies to come upon a property. They are relentless, unyielding and brutal. The only real defense against them is to be prepared so that you can hopefully avoid some of the damage they can bring. Here are 12 ways to protect your home or business against a flood.

Downspouts. Be sure your structure has gutters and downspouts properly installed all the way around it. The downspouts should be routed far enough away from the building to give the water an external path for runoff.

Gutters. Check your roof for any debris and make sure the gutters are clean so the rainwater can flow away freely.

Runoff. Verify that any external drains or channels designed to route water away from the building are not blocked or impaired.

Drains. Check any city storm drains near your location to verify they are not covered, and remove any blockage so the floodwaters can flow away.

Foundation. Inspect your foundation for any cracks or shifts that might allow water to pass inside. Have any problems repaired, and consider adding extra levels of waterproofing to help repel floodwaters as they arrive.

Landscaping. If flooding is an ongoing possibility for your location, you may want to consider adding some retaining walls or other landscaping designed to protect against rising waters.

Sump Pump. Check your sump pump and drains to verify they are free and clear to remove water before it rises in the home.

Backflow Valve. Have a backflow valve installed on your main sewer system. This keeps raw sewage from entering your home as floodwaters rise.

Water Sensors. Electronic water sensors can alert you if there is a problem, allowing you to check your property and get valuables moved to safety.

Plan Ahead. Have a plan in place for how to deal with an incident. Imagine floodwaters approaching your facility, and think of what you’d like to have ready at that time. Go through the motions of dealing with an issue, so you’ll be rehearsed and ready for a sudden surprise in the future.

https://www.banasinsurance.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Protect-Your-Home-or-Business-from-Flooding.jpg9601280Banas & Fickerthttps://www.banasinsurance.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/banas-logo-120.pngBanas & Fickert2018-09-20 13:16:182018-09-20 13:16:1812 Ways to Protect Your Home or Business from Flooding

When small business owners are looking to cut costs, liability insurance premiums are often one of the first things to go. But while many business owners might believe that they don’t actually think they need it, why you should actually carry small business liability insurance is often misunderstood. Here are 4 points you should consider before deciding whether or not to carry small business liability insurance coverage. Read more

Whether you’re looking to buy insurance for yourself or your business, or both, you shop around looking for the best deal. There are so many marketing campaigns out there to “help you” by saving money on important policies such as auto insurance, homeowner’s insurance, and various types of business insurance. But the lowest price does not equal the most valuable policy. Read more